College Planning

Here are some things you should start thinking about to begin the college application process.

January- February of Junior Year:

Begin the college search

You should start to make a list of your interests, activities and what you may want to study in college.

Use the college search at www.collegeboard.com.

Read the profiles of the schools that match your interests. Be sure your academic credentials meet the school's admission requirements.

Create a profile and keep schools save schools you are interested in.

March -April

Getting Ready for SAT's

Students can take either the SAT reasoning test or up to three SAT subject tests on one test date. Plan your testing schedule so that if school you are interested in require SAT subject test, you have a plan to have multiple opportunities to take all tests if necessary.

Begin to think about SAT test dates. Dates for the SAT can be found on the SAT page of the CHS Guidance site.

Students can register online at www.collegeboard.org

April-Summer

Start visiting local colleges. Be sure to visit many different schools; large, small, public and private. Start to get a feel on what may be the right fit for you. If you have completed the college search, you should have a list of 15-20 schools that fit your profile. Download the sheet of questions to ask when you visit colleges What Should I Ask When I Visit a School.pdf

Complete "Brag Sheet". You should give a copy of your completed brag sheet (which includes an Activity Log and Student Data Portfolio to every person who you are asking to write a letter of recommendation for you. You should also give your guidance counselor a copy of your completed brag sheet. Download Activity Log and Student Data Portfolio

Ask teachers and/or employers to write you a letter of recommendation. Remember that writing your letter takes time and effort. Please be sure to give plenty of time for your letters to be written. After you receive your letters, remember to send a thank you note.

Fall of Senior Year

      • Continue to visit colleges, attend open houses at colleges you are interested in.

      • You should start to narrow down your choices to those schools you want to apply to.

      • Begin to complete applications. Be sure to pay attention to deadlines and plan an application timeline. Remember applying to colleges will be very time consuming. Be sure to plan accordingly. You will be very busy staying caught up in your class work, preparing your portfolio and completing college applications. This can be very stressful and a plan with a timeline is very important.

      • Be sure to register for the SAT test you want to take. They will be given at CHS in October, November, December (you many want to take the test on one or all of these dates depending on your scores)

      • Be sure to complete Brag Sheet if not already done.

      • Asking for letters of recommendation should be done with plenty of time afforded to those writing for you. Remember to give a copy of your completed brag sheet

      • Remember thank you notes when you receive your letters.